Rules of Futsal

 

SOCIAL COMPETITION RULES & INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION
The following represents the basic rulings of Futsal (FIFA International Rules) that are implemented in our competitions, accompanied with a number of our own by-laws.

Please note: The Onus is on the Team Captain to ensure that team members know and understand these rulings. There will be no exceptions to these rules and by-laws. These rules must be read and adhered to.

THE TEAM
Each team shall consist of five players (4 field players and 1 goal keeper). The minimum number of players required in order to start a game is 4. In a Mixed League, a minimum of 2 ladies and 2 gentlemen are required to be on the court at all times. A maximum of 3 substitution players is permitted. Please note: No player may play for more than one team if the player is already registered with another team. (Exception: A player has been approved to fill-in for another team).

MATCH DURATION
Matches consist of 2 x 20 minute halves

SEASON LENGTH
A season lasts 16-20 weeks duration plus 2 weeks Finals

THE COST
• WEEKLY MATCH FEE
• REGISTRATION/INSURANCE per team, per season.
(To be paid on the FIRST GAME of the season).
• SEASON BOND PAYMENT (Redeemable – subject to conditions).

PAYMENT OF MATCH FEES
Payment of match fees is to be made PRIOR to the commencement of the game. If this cannot occur, please have the courtesy to notify the League Administrator.

BOND FEE
A bond payment applies to all leagues. The bond can be redeemed on the last game of the season or Final should your team not be competing in the season following. If your team will be competing in the season following, the bond will be transferred into the New Season – the bond is not to be used on your team’s final scheduled match in this instance.

FIXTURES
Fixtures will be sent to each team captain and available for viewing online on the Irish Deaf Futsal Federation’s website. Match times are set, and cannot be altered in order to suit team's preferences. Please note: mis-reading the fixture will not be considered an acceptable excuse for not attending a scheduled match. Forfeit fees will apply.

LATENESS
Teams running late will incur a 1 goal penalty for every 2 minutes late. The clock will begin at the fixtured time. An Automatic Forfeit will apply if a team cannot supply 4 team members after 12 minutes has elapsed in the first-half. Forfeit Fees will apply to the team creating the forfeit.

FORFEIT LOSS
A forfeit loss will apply to the team creating the forfeit. Arrangement for fill-in players must be made if a team cannot front a game. Please do not consider forfeiting an easy option when not being able to play. We appreciate captain’s doing their best to field a team and ensure there are enough members for each round of competition. Please make your team members aware that upon signing up for the team, they are committing themselves to being available for the duration of the season. Teams that forfeit a match without giving at least 48 hours notice will be charged a forfeit fee. This is to ensure a team has an opponent each round.

FORFEITING THE BOND
Should a team not show to a match, the Bond fee will be used and the team will have to re-pay the bond in order to compete in the next round of competition. Bond Fee must be replaced in the following round otherwise 3 points will be deducted from each week until the fee is paid.

If a friendly match is played, a game fee of $40.00 must be paid by the opposition team affected by the friendly - a Forfeit Win will apply.

GAME SHEET
On arrival to each competition venue the team captain or delegate must complete the game sheet with full details of all players for the match, including shirt number, first name and surname. This must be completed before play can commence.

COMPETITION POINTS
In all league fixtures, match points will be awarded as follows:

WIN = 3 POINTS
DRAW = 1 POINT
LOSS = 0 POINTS
BYE = 1 POINT
LOF = Loss On Forfeit
WOF = Win On Forfeit + Plus 3 Points


Please note: Byes and WOF (Wins on forfeit) count as games played.

TEAM COMMUNICATION
All registered teams will have log-in access to our Website in which Fixtures, Results and Ladders and further competition information are on display. It is your team's responsibility to regularly view updates on our website. Teams are also required to have a Captain who will act as a delegate with an active email address along with a current contact phone number.

UNIFORMS
All teams’ members must wear the SAME coloured shirts except for the goalkeeper. All shirts must be numbered and must have sleeves, however, there are to be no duplicate numbers. All players must also wear shin guards - they are COMPULSORY. All caps and jewellery must also be removed before going on court. The opposition will be awarded 1-goal per infringement.

Exception to the shirt colour rule: A fill-in player is provided by the centre, or another team (only if a team is genuinely short of players). The uniform penalty does not apply in these instances. However, shin guards must be worn by all players on the court – again COMPULSORY.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Teams can substitute players any time during the duration of the game. However, the referee needs to be notified of a goalkeeper substitution. Only when the ball is out of play, and in your team's possession is where the game can be stopped.

RULES OF COMPETITION

Rules will be kept in accordance with FIFA International Rulings plus our own by-laws.

BASIC RULINGS:

1. At Kick-Off the Ball must be played forward. A single kick forward is allowed. Failure to do so will result in a Free Kick to the Opposition.

2. There is a 4 second time limit on kick-ins, corner kicks, Free Kicks and Goalkeeper clearance.

3. At the kick-in point, the opposing team must stand at least three metres away from the ball. Failure to do so will result in a Yellow Card to the offending player/players.

4. Players cannot play the ball whilst on the ground. If this happens, it will result in a free kick awarded to the opposition.

5. There is no off-side. Players can enter the Goalkeeper’s 'D' area and can score from any part of the court. Goals can be scored directly from a corner.

6. The Goalkeeper cannot leave his/her ‘D’ with the ball in his/her hands. If this happens it will result in a Free Kick to the opposition.

7. The Goalkeeper may leave the ‘D’ in order to save the ball as long as:

A. He/she does not touch the ball with his/her hands

B. He/she starts his/her slide within the ‘D’ area.

C. He/she keeps possession of the ball within a 4-second time limit.
Note: The goalkeeper is the only player who may slide in order to save the ball (providing he/she does not use excessive force). There is strictly no slide tackling, shoulder charges or rough play.

8. Players may not use their elbows in order to shove the opposition from the ball. A warning will be given and a Free Kick awarded to the opposition.

9. The goalkeeper can throw the ball over the half way line on the full. A 'goalkeeper’s ball' must be thrown in to play. Exception: if the ball has been a caught save, it can be drop-kicked back into play.

10. The following ‘back pass’ rule only applies to a selection of competitions. The goalkeeper can only touch the ball once in general play. Once he/she releases the ball to his/her own players in their defensive half of the court, the goalkeeper cannot receive the ball back. (Unless the ball is touched by the opposing team or the ball has gone over the half way line). A warning will be given and a Free Kick to the opposition.

11. Goals cannot be scored directly from a side kick-in, it must be touched by another player on route to goal to be counted.

FOULS

(Please note: Only a selection of competitions will apply a foul-count).

1. Once a Team has accumulated five (5) fouls (in a half) a direct free kick will be awarded. A Goal can be scored directly from this free kick.

2. The free kick awarded for five (5) fouls can be defended by a wall of players. (At least a five (5) metre distance from the free kick position).

3. When a sixth (6th) foul (in a Half) has been accumulated, a free kick is to be taken from the 10 metre line in the offending team's half. In this instance, a wall is no longer permitted in defence of the free (direct) kick.

4. The player taking the free Kick shall kick with the intention of scoring a goal and shall not pass the ball to another player.

5. Once the free kick has been taken, no player may touch the ball until it has been touched by the goalkeeper or has rebounded from the goal post or cross-bar.

CARDS

1. RED Card:

• Any player given a Red Card is to leave the field for the rest of the game and an automatic suspension for the next match.
• It is up to the referee’s discretion as to whether a player can be replaced after 2 minutes or when the opposition score.
• Most often depending on the offence, the player cannot be replaced for the rest of the game, nor may he/she sit on the substitution bench.

2. YELLOW Card:

• Any player given a Yellow Card is given a Warning.
• Two (2) Yellow Cards in one match is equivalent to a Red Card.
• If a player got three (3) Yellow Cards thoughout the tournament and automatic suspension for the next match and Frequent yellow cards in a competition to an individual may also result in disciplinary action.

BY-LAWS

The following will not be tolerated:

1. SLIDE TACKLING - intentional or not (at the referee’s discretion)

2. Kicking, pushing in the back and/or front

3. Intentional tripping of an opponent

4. Swearing (intentional or not)

5. Abusive or racial language

6. Unduly rough play

7. Intentional hand-ball

8. Any foul or abusive language directed towards a player or referee/officials on or off the court

A Yellow Card and a Free Kick will be given for the following:

1. Intentional hand-ball

2. Time wasting

3. Shirt pulling

4. Roughly kicking the ball through an opponent’s legs from behind or from the front

5. Obstruction

6. Charging the goalkeeper

7. If the goalkeeper handles a back-pass from his or her own player

8. If a substituting player enters the field from an incorrect position or before the player coming off has entirely left the field

9. Persistently infringing the laws of the game

PENALTY KICK ON THE SIREN
A Penalty kick awarded on the siren (marking the end of the half or the game) must be played.

INJURIES
The scoreboard clock will not stop for injury time. The injured player must vacate the court immediately. The Player may re-take the court once he/she has been attended to. (Subject to the referees discretion, if a player is seriously injured).

BLOOD RULE
If a player is bleeding, they must vacate the court immediately to seek treatment. The Player may take the court once he/she has been attended to. All wounds that are open and exposed, whether bleeding or not, need to be covered with appropriate bandaging before a participant can return to the playing area.

ILLEGAL DRUGS/ALCOHOL
No individual will be permitted to participate in a match if it is suspected that he/she is under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. Spectators and players are also prohibited from bringing and/or consuming alcohol at a Futsal Super 5's venue.

FINALS

A minimum of five (5) games must be played by each player in order to compete in the Finals series.

If a team is on equal points at the end of the season's draw, the position on the ladder will be determined by the following means and order:

• The team with the greatest goal difference will finish higher

• If goal difference is the same, then the team that has scored most goals FOR, will be deemed to have finished higher

• If goals FOR is the same, then the team who has conceded less goals will be deemed to have finished higher

• If goal difference, goals scored, and goals conceded are all the same, then the teams will be deemed to have tied and appropriate action will be taken by IDFF’s.

In finals, if there is a draw at full-time, teams will play an extra 3 minutes each way, with the Golden Goal rule to apply. (Golden goal: First team to score wins). After this time, if the scores are still level, a penalty shoot out will be played.

TROPHIES: Teams are allocated 8 trophies per team for the Finals Series (Winners and Runners-Up). Teams participating in a 'Third Place Play-off' or 'Wooden Spoon Final' are allocated a single trophy/shield. 

Irish Deaf Futsal Federation's MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REMOVE OR BAN PLAYERS AND/OR TEAMS FROM A COMPETITION LEAGUE FOR BEHAVIOURAL OR FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT.

REFEREES AND YOUR TEAM'S BEHAVIOUR
Futsal is such a passionate sport and it is not always the referee's fault a team loses. Respect the fact, human error does occur but they always give a fair decision the way they see it (not necessarily the way you might see it). Also, issues that do occur are usually a result of players not knowing the Competition Rulings.

Teams and players are kindly reminded that we all make mistakes. Whilst we all try to be perfect, there isn’t a player in this world that can get through an entire match without making a mistake - it's part of the game. Referees are no different. Our referee’s try their best to be accurate with all of their decisions, but reality is that during the course of each competition they will make mistakes. Please accept it in the same manner that you accept mistakes from yourself and your team mates. The Referees are not to be abused in any way whatsoever and above all, respect the referees as THEIR DECISION IS FINAL.

MANAGEMENT
Remember the competition’s offered by IDFF have a strong emphasis on fitness and fun, whilst providing social leagues with a competitive edge. Rules exist in order to keep the game fair and in control, hence they are to be adhered to very closely.

Team spectators wishing to support their team must act in a civil manner at all times. They must not interfere or be distracting towards referees/officials and or players. Persons offending will be asked to vacate a venue. There will be no excuse for any inappropriate behaviour or swearing. This will NOT be tolerated whatsoever.

If a player(s) wishes to spoil it for the rest of their team and are found guilty of misconduct, the penalties will be harsher than expected. We suggest if players and their fellow spectators cannot abide by the Rules and By-Laws of the game, they should not play or attend matches at all.

We expect everyone to play the game in a sportsmanlike manner and to ensure that each of you emphasise enjoyment whilst participating. If you have anything to say constructively about improving the competition, we would be more than happy to listen.

Taken from http://www.super5s.org/rules_futsal.html